- Play Hard
- 28th Mar 2025
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A bartender’s guide to the best cocktails in Newcastle
By Molly Wear
I’ve been a bartender since I was 20, with Mother Mercy in the Cloth Market being my home for the past year. There’s nothing I love more than learning about the craft, developing and making drinks, and, finally, seeing all of our guests enjoy them.
I’d like to say I know a fair share of bars in my hometown of Newcastle, so when I’m not at Mercy, these are my absolute favourite places to stop for a little cocktail.
Ernest
1 Boyd Street, Shieldfield, NE2 1AP
I’m always impressed with the food at Ernest, but whenever I visit, I’m especially excited to see what they’ve done with the drink menu. Constantly pushing the boat out with experimental flavours, current creations include a Yuzu Shandy, a Pickle Margarita, and a Bloody Mary-inspired Martini featuring chorizo-washed vodka, sherry, and chipotle chilli extra virgin olive oil.
Ernest also hosts a range of events, from wine tastings to DJ sets, and there are plenty of great drink deals to take advantage of. On Margarita Mondays, their full margarita menu is two for £14 all day. You can also enjoy two for £14 spritzes and aperitivos from 9.00pm – 11.00pm every day and all day on Sundays.
What to order: Ernest’s homemade sodas are always spot on. They come in four flavours, including lemon, almond and basil, mint and lime, and ginger. You can enjoy them solo as a refreshing non-alcoholic option or paired with your spirit of choice for a light, zesty tipple.
Ro
99 Heaton Park Road, NE6 5NR
If there’s one thing Ro on Heaton Park Road loves, it’s a twist on a classic. Their refined menu is split into four sections – Martinis, Margaritas, Old Fashioneds, and Mojitos – with each featuring the original cocktail we all know and love, plus three creative variations.
The bartenders are knowledgeable and genuinely committed to finding the perfect cocktail based on your preferences. A visit to Ro is always a guaranteed lovely evening, but it’s especially ideal for pre- or post-dinner drinks at their sister venue, Rebel restaurant, just next door.
What to order: I’m very excited to try both the Smoky Old Fashioned and the Coconut Mojito, but my go-to at Ro is always a martini. Made with Northumberland’s own Hepple gin, it’s packed with local botanicals and can be served with lemon, olives, or a pickle. At £9 a cocktail, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better-value martini in town.
Ōdio Bar at Miso
Unit 1 Ford Street, Ouseburn, NE6 1NW
Whilst everybody in Newcastle has (rightfully so) been raving about the food at Miso in Ouseburn since it opened in 2022, I feel like not enough love is given to Ōdio, their bar downstairs. When they’re not hosting a guest DJ, one of their hundreds of vinyl records will be spinning on the player, adding to the bar’s chilled-out vibe. Serving both original pours and classic cocktails with a Japanese twist, their drinks are perfect by themselves or paired with some gyozas or chicken karaage. A large wine and sake menu is also available.
What to order: Whenever I visit Ōdio, it’s a firm rule of mine that the Fumidashi – an espresso martini with miso – is ordered at least once. The addition of miso gives the drink an umami punch that makes it dangerously drinkable.
Café Mercy
30-32 Grey Street, NE1 6AE
Obviously I’m biased, but Mother Mercy’s sister venue on Grey Street is one of my favourite places to pop in for a quick coffee or a cocktail. Inspired by Mediterranean café culture, Café Mercy’s drinks menu is designed to take you from day to night—from Bloody Marys and spritzes by day, to Martinis and Manhattans after dark.
If you’re feeling peckish, they’ve got a great menu of small plates, and regularly host restaurant takeovers. Recent favourites have included oysters from Hake and tacos from Chuchos.
What to order: If you’re a Negroni lover, Café Mercy has you covered. It’s on tap, perfectly chilled, and ready in seconds. Craving something sweeter? You’ll find old Mother Mercy favourites on the menu too, like the East 8 Hold Up (vodka, pineapple, Aperol, lime and passionfruit) and the Pool Float, a refreshing mix of watermelon, strawberry and yuzu.
Horticulture
1 Market Lane, NE1 6QQ
Claiming to have the “world’s biggest espresso martini menu”, Horticulture is the place to go if you’re after a caffeine fix with a twist. If you can name a dessert, chances are they’ve turned it into an espresso martini—from tiramisu to cherry bakewell, and even a Newkie Brown version made with Newcastle’s iconic brown ale.
What to order: As expected, you can never go wrong with their Classic Espresso Martini – it’s expertly made and reliably strong. But if you’re after something a bit different, I love the salted caramel variation. It’s rich, smooth, and just sweet enough without being overpowering. Plus, the garnish makes it a solid choice for the ‘gram.
WC
WC, Bigg Market, NE1 1UW
Whenever I pay a visit to WC, located in a former water closet in the Bigg Market, what I know for sure is that I will be met with a friendly smile and exceptional service. The menu includes signature serves, such as the Rhubarb and Ginger Bramble and a Cherry Mai Tai, as well as a good mix of classics and a great selection of original mocktails. Whilst the underground bar is small, it provides an unbelievably cosy setting, making it perfect for a date or catching up with friends.
What to order: One of my favourite cocktails of all time is a Daiquiri. Using just rum, lime, and sugar, WC’s is perfectly balanced and dangerously drinkable, an ideal sip for when you’re craving something simple and refreshing.
No. 28
27-29 Nelson Street, NE1 5AN
Open until 3.00am every night, No.28 is the stylish, fairy-light-filled bar above the Grainger Market that’s perfect for ending your night out on a high. With floral decor, cosy corners and a laid-back vibe, it’s a hidden gem that keeps the party going in the most elegant way.
Their extensive cocktail menu comes with plenty of great-value deals (excluding Saturdays), including two for £15 on selected cocktails and bottles of prosecco for £16.
But No.28 isn’t just a late-night hangout—it also serves up bottomless brunches and suppers from Tuesday to Sunday. For 90 minutes, you can enjoy unlimited prosecco, bellinis, G&Ts and more, with the option to extend your time to two hours or upgrade to include cocktails.
What to order: Any of the drinks included in their happy hour menu are a solid shout. With crowd-pleasers like Pornstar and Espresso Martinis, plus a mix of spritzes and Negronis, there’s something for every taste.
Billy Bootleggers
Arch 2 Stepney Bank, NE1 2NP
Inspired by American dive bars, Billy Bootleggers serves up neon signs, dim lighting, and laid-back vibes. While they’re best known for their Picklebacks (a shot followed by a chaser of pickle brine), there’s also plenty for those with more of a sweet tooth.
Their house-made ‘Moonshine’—best described as apple pie in a glass—is a staple here. Traditionally served straight from the fridge in a Mason jar, it can also be enjoyed hot or even mixed into a shandy.
Beyond the moonshine, the menu covers everything from classic and flavoured Long Island Iced Teas to a range of Old Fashioneds and Manhattans, all with that unmistakable Billy’s twist.
What to order: As a girl with more of a savoury tooth, I can’t come to Billy’s without ordering a Pickleback, usually accompanied by a cold beer. When in the mood for cocktails, their Moonshine Long Island marries two of their signature pours by replacing the traditional cola with, you guessed it, their apple pie moonshine.
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